San Francisco Giants: 2000 MLB trade deadline review

In the days leading up to this year’s MLB trade deadline, we’ll take a look back at San Francisco Giants deadlines past. First up, the 2000 trade deadline.

The San Francisco Giants had a 38-38 record entering the month of July during the 2000 season but ripped off a 19-8 month of July to thrust them into contention and convince them to buy leading up to the deadline.

While they only made one minor move, they still went an impressive 40-19 the rest of the way to finish with a 97-65 record and win the NL West title by 11 games.

Here’s a look at their July activity:

July 30, 2000: RHP Doug Henry acquired from the Houston Astros in exchange for RHP Scott Linebrink

During the 2000 season, the Giants had a lockdown closer in Robb Nen and a quality setup man in Felix Rodriguez, but the rest of the bullpen was inconsistent at best.

Veteran reliever Doug Henry proved to be the solution.

The 36-year-old posted a 4.42 ERA with six holds in 45 appearances with the Houston Astros before the Giants acquired him on the eve of the trade deadline.

Despite tallying more walks (21) than strikeouts (16), he pitched to a solid 2.49 ERA with six holds in 27 appearances following the trade, and he pitched two scoreless innings in the NLDS.

In return, the Houston Astros received right-hander Scott Linebrink.

Linebrink was a second-round pick in 1997 and the No. 2 prospect in the San Francisco Giants system heading into the 1999 season, according to Baseball America.

He went on to make 607 career appearances, emerging as a workhorse out of the San Diego Padres bullpen where he saw plenty of action against the Giants over the years.

Summary

The San Francisco Giants were ultimately ousted by the New York Mets in the NLDS, and Henry departed in free agency during the offseason, signing with the Kansas City Royals.

Still, it was a solid season for the Giants and the Henry addition proved to be a useful move to bolster the relief corps.

Check back here in the days and weeks to come for more San Francisco Giants trade deadline reviews, all culminating in what promises to be a busy 2019 deadline.